Evaluation of Epicardial Fat Thickness, a New Indicator of the Cardiovascular Risk Factor, in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Aim:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease with high cardiovascular mortality. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAD) is the visceral fat located between the myocardium and pericardium. EAD is recognized as an active metabolic and inflammatory tissue capable of producing and releasing various preatherosclerotic and proinflammatory hormones, cytokines. EAD is associated with coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, and subclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between EAD and SLE patients. Material and Methods:A total of 73 patients were recruited from the rheumatology department of a single center as a case-control study. The participants were divided into two groups: 73 patients with SLE (group 1) and 60 age- and sex- matched controls (group 2). Laboratory and radiological results were obtained from the electronic registration database. Data were analyzed and compared between the groups. Results:There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, height, weight, or body mass index (BMI). EAD was found to be significantly higher in SLE patients than in the control group. In the SLE group, EAD was found to be significantly higher in patients with low complement levels than in those without. There was a positive correlation between EAD and age, leukocytes, neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP), and BMI, but a negative correlation was found between SLE disease activity index. Conclusion:Increased EAD was found in SLE patients compared with the control group. In addition, a correlation was found between increased EAD and low complement and CRP. EAD may be a measurable and modifiable potential therapeutic target associated with inflammation and cardiovascular risk in patients with SLE.